If you read my blog you've probably heard me complain about my kids doctor's office before. Besides being pretty much incompetent, I have to wait forever every time I'm there. I've literally NEVER waited less than an hour. The longest I've waited there was over two hours. The last time we went there I left after 90 minutes without seeing the doctor.
Today we had appointments with a new dentist. Their appointments were both at 1:15, and I was told to be there by 1 to check in and fill out the new patient paperwork. We got there at about 1:07. At 1:15 I went up and asked for the paperwork and was told that they would call me up when it was ready. At 1:45 I still hadn't even started filling out the paperwork. I have to work at 3. So I went up and told them that I needed to reschedule. They were very nice about it, and even gave me a $20 gift certificate to a local restaurant for waiting.
It got me thinking though, am I impatient? The waiting room today was packed, and I didn't see anyone else rescheduling. Their doctor's office acted like I had 2 heads when I told them that I was unwilling to wait more than 90 minutes to see a pediatrician. Is it completely unreasonable to expect that if I make an appointment for a certain time, and I arrange my schedule around that, and I drag two kids to that appointment that I will be seen at my scheduled time? In my opinion, if you have a policy that if I am more than 15 minutes late I have to reschedule, I should be able to hold you to the same standard.
So, if you read this, PLEASE leave a comment and tell me what you think is a reasonable time to wait for an appointment? At what point would you leave? At what point would you consider never returning to that office again?
Oh, and if you watch Community (with Joel McHale) there was a hillarious episode where they did a study on this. Maybe I need to watch it again.
6 comments:
I think 15 minutes is reasonable and anything over an hour is too much. I have a 15 minute rule; I only control my children for 15 minutes, then I'm done. I think it would be reasonable to ask how far behind they are when you arrive and ask them to page/call you when they are about ready for you. I agree that if they cancel on you after 15 minutes, they should adhere to the same standard... especially when they want you there 15 minutes early!
On average, I don't wait very long- on base I mean. At Cherry Point, when I was going to Greenville, the average wait for the OB was 2 hours, and I did leave without seeing a doctor once there.
I wait at LEAST an hour for every appointment. And then another 20-30 minutes in the dirty exam room! Because of that (and MANY other reasons...like, they never call me back, they double/triple-book appts, etc), we are switching pediatricians...our old doctor is no longer seeing patients (is moving no to research) so there's no reason to stay with his practice. I have lots of friends who go to this new practice, and they swear they NEVER wait more than 15 minutes, the doctor doesn't double-book appts AND the doctor herself calls you back when you call! I'm excited for the royal treatment, lol.
If you don't want to wait, then make an early appt. I agree that waiting for an hour is too long. You should see if the base has an ICE online(I don't remember what it stands for), where you can complain. They supposedly read those.
Oh man. That's bad! I guess my 20 min. wait isn't all that bad!! I wouldn't wait more than an hour, for sure. Especially with kids!!! I'd find a different pediatrician!
I think 15 is reasonable, maybe 20 if I have nothing going on at all. And that also depends one how many and what kids I have. The only time I've been patient with a 90 minutes wait is when I pregnant with Michael and my OB/Gyn was always late, but I loved him and he was really nice and never rushed, also he was the only doctor who was on call he didn't have anyone else. But i also didnt' have any other kids.
Like Rebecca at Balboa I don't have to wait too long. They try very hard I think. I've had a few times it's been about 20 minutes. But even in the office it's maybe 5 minutes wait for the doctor to come so it's not too bad.
The worse is the opthamology department at balboa. It's always an hour or more I dont' know why but it's the worse. They are always seeing emergency walk in patients. It's crazy, but I have to go every 6 months so I have no choice, i just go prepared.
But I wouldnt' stay for any other appointment. They should be on time, if they ask you to be on time! No your not impatient.
Okay, in my case I am in a hospital waiting for appointments a minimum of once a week, and that is a good week for me. I have found that the best way to assure that you will be seen in a reasonable amount of time is to bring ALL FOUR of your screaming, fighting, hungry, tired, and whining children with you. They take a look at your brood and think "Oh crap, we gotta get these guys out of here as quick as possible." I always make sure to throw in acting like I am losing my mind and on the verge of a complete meltdown even on days when I am actually doing pretty good. It is like magic! We hardly wait ten minutes after arriving in the waiting area and usually no longer than 20-30 minutes in the exam room, which is still H-E-double hockey sticks, but part of the program for us.
I would lose my ever loving mind if I had to wait that long. The longest I have ever put up with waiting was 45 minutes and I was MAD when they finally decided to bless me with their presence. Usually I just walk up them and ask what the hold up is and if they are honest and tell me the doctor is running late and by how long, I am cooperative. I COMPLETELY agree that they should have to live up to the expectations they have of their patients themselves. It is awesome that they get paid to waste your time. Awesome.
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